Journal of Environment and Earth Science ISSN 2224-3216 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0948 (Online) Vol 2, No.

4, 2012

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Application of Resistivity Sounding In Environmental Studies: A Case Study of Kazai Crude-Oil Spillage Niger State, Nigeria
Abubakar Yusuf Ismail* and Umar Adamu Danbatta Department of Geology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Kaduna State, Nigeria *E-mail of Correponding Author: ismi_asma@yahoo.com, ismazee2003@gmail.com. Abstract A pipeline conveying crude oil from Escravos via Izom ruptured in the year 2000 and polluted the Kazai area, although the ruptured pipe was replaced and the site cleaned up, an examination of the point of spillage two years later gave the impression that the pipeline might be still leaking. The present work presents the use of Vertical Electrical Soundings (VES) techniques, and systematic trenching, to determine the source of this environmental problem. A total number of eight soundings along two profiles were carried out around the point of spillage, and data analysis revealed that the area is predominantly clayey in nature, and that the pipes are no longer leaking. Due to the plasticity of the clay when wet, it expands when in contact with rainwater and, as it does so, it entrapped any oil existing around it. However, when not in contact with water in the dry season, the clay shrinks and cracks, thereby releasing the trapped oils. This mechanism continued seasonally, and the oil released during the dry season, is the one responsible for the apparent leakage of the pipeline. Geoelectric models in the form of Vertical Isoresistivity Sections (VIS) and Isoresistiviy Maps were plotted. These were used to delineate the polluted zones, which were recommended for excavation and refilling. Keywords: Vertical Electrical sounding, Geoelectric Models, Isopach map, Isoresistivity Map. 1. Introduction In the Izom area of Niger State Nigeria, an underground high pressure pipeline that is conveying crude oil from Escravos to the Kaduna Nigerian National Petroleum Cooperation ( N.N.P.C) refinery got ruptured at Kazai (km 198) in the year 2000. This caused severe environmental pollution and considerable ecological damage, in the form of water pollution and loss of access to farmlands, which was immediately arrested. The Kazai area of Izom lies within the Basement Complex region of northern Nigeria (Fig. 1), and is about 30 km south of Sarkin Pawa, and about 20km East of Gwada. Danbatta et al. (2002) discussed the different basement rock types found in the study area, which include migmatites, gneisses, metasediments (schists, quartzites), and Older Granites. The dominant rock types are the migmatitic-gneisses, with subordinate amount of the Older Granites, one of which outcropped near the point of spillage (Fig. 2).The crude oil pipeline is trending at 010 around the point of spillage, and the spillage occurred along a tributary of River Dinya, which is sometimes called River Dapulo (Fig. 2). Although the ruptured pipe was replaced and the site cleaned up, oil kept appearing on the surface polluting the water resources in the area particularly during the wet season. The present work illustrate the application electrical resistivity survey to environmental studies, with the sole aim of investigating the source of the persistent appearance of oil on the surface and to point out areas where urgent intervention is needed for the rational use and protection of the water resources of the area 1.1 Materials and methods A reconnaissance survey was first undertaken in order to study the location and nature of the oil spillage, and used to delimit the study area. Literature review, fieldwork, and laboratory analysis were undertaken during the investigations. Eight (8) surface Vertical Electrical Soundings (VES) geophysical data were acquired using an ABEM Terrameter SAS 300, and a Schlumberger electrode array with a maximum electrode spacing of 100 m. The 8 VES stations were established on two profiles, trending N-S and E-W (Fig. 3). Moreover two large pits were dug to physically observe the soil profile in the study area. The data obtained were then reduced and were subjected to both qualitative and quantitatively interpretation using different analytical methods. 1.1.1 Results and discussion The data acquired from the eight soundings are presented in Table 1, and the field curves are predominantly three-layer A and H-types. The thickness of the most conducting layers in the study area varied from 12 to 117m with resistivities in the range of 4 to 115 ohm-m. Geoelectric models for the spillage site in the form of Vertical Iso-ohms Section (VIS) and Iso-ohms Map (Resistivity contours) at different depths were plotted. These were used to delineate the polluted zones around the west and central areas of the point of spillage. The acquired VES field curves were initially interpreted using the conventional partial curve matching

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technique and the Petrowski's method (Telford et al., 1976). Initial estimates of the resistivities and thickness of the various geoelectric layers were deduced from this preliminary interpretation. The deduced parameters were later used as starting models in a "Zohdy" computer program. This computer assisted resistivity interpretation is based on the calculation of theoretical VES curves, and gave the 'best fit' for the data obtained. The final computed computer parameters for VES1 are hi = 7.26m, rho (1) = 100 m, h2 -13.26 m, 2=289 m, 3=401 m. Root mean square( R.m.s) error for the final model was 4.2, and the suggested depth of the third layer (h3) is infinity. A similar procedure as discussed above was followed in the interpretation of all the remaining 7 VES points collected for this work, and the result presented in Table 2. The resulting interpreted models of the various profiles sounded were used to produce geoelectric sections, geologic sections, isopach maps, and isoresistivity (iso-ohms) maps for the surface, overburden and basement. The composite geoelectric section was obtained for the four VES points established along the N-S profile. It suggests that the subsurface along the profile is made up of 3 layers at VES point 1, while 2-layers underlay VES points 2, 3 and 4. The resistivity of the first layer in all the VES points ranges from 100.7-1605 ohm-m, and the thickness of the layer varies from 2.42 m to 30.54 m . The second layer has a resistivity in the range of 289-62479 m, and the thickness of this second layer varies from 13.26 m Infinity. The third layer is the deepest and has resistivity values in the range of 400 m. The geoelectric section derived from the interpreted VES data was converted to geologic section based on available borehole data and dug pit in the area. The geologic section derived along the N-S profile suggests that the first layer likely consists of two different types of soils. The high resistivity zone (5071 ohm-m) of the layer occurring around VES point 2 is considered to be fresh crystalline rock. The second soil type occurred at zones with relatively medium resistivity values (100-198 ohm-m), which occurred at VES points 1, 2 and 4, and is considered to be dry clay. The data also suggests that the second layer likely consists of two types of soils. The first type occurred at around VES point 1, with a resistivity value of 289 ohm-m, probably suggesting a sandy loam soil. The second type occurred at VES points 2, 3 and 4, and is likely considered to be composed of fresh crystalline basement, but at VES point 2 it is the oil pipeline which runs N-S across the VES profile. The third and final layer along the N-S profile is composed of one soil type, which occurred at VES point 1, and is also considered a region of fractured basement predominantly composed of gravelly sand. The interpreted resistivity data for the final models of each of the remaining four VES points along the E-W profile in the study area were also interpreted in a similar way. Geologic section of some selected VES points are shown in fig.4. In order to investigate other hydrogeophysical aspects of the study area, two isoresistivity maps and isopach map were also prepared from the interpreted VES data, through contouring. These maps include the isoresistivity map of the top layer (fig.5), the isoresistivity map at 5m depth (fig.6) and the isopach map of aquifer (over burden and fractured basement) fig.7. The isoresistivity map of the top layer was primarily produced to show the variation of resistivity of the topmost layer, which would be a function of the surface geology of the study area. It could also suggest the possible existence of spilled oil saturated zones in the top layer. Table 2 shows that the resistivity values of the upper layer range from 54-714,683 ohm-m at around VES 5 and 6, respectively. The figure further shows the zone with lowest resistivity values (>100 ohm-m), suggesting that the soil formations within the zone consists of sand, silt and clay. The zone occurs largely in the western part of the study area and some portions of its northern parts. The zone with medium resistivity values in the range of 711 ohm-m occurs around the central portion of the study area VES 7, and consists of fractured basement. The low resistivity zone occurs at the eastern portion of the area, and is occupied by dry sand. These three zones have incidentally coincided with what was obtained in the geologic section earlier derived at the corresponding VES points. Moreover the interpreted categories of soils were physically mapped at the study are during the field data acquisition after the dug pits were logged. Two high resistivity areas were identify in the topmost layer around VES 3 and 6,this areas might have been polluted by spilled oil which accounts for the high resistivity values. The top layers in this areas were interpreted to be sand,silt and clay. Due to the plastic nature of clay when wet, it usually expands when in contact with rainwater, and as it does so it squeezes out the entrapped in it (Deer, et al., 1963; Bragg and Claringbull, 1965). However, in the dry season when not in contact with water, the clay will shrink and crack, thereby releasing the trapped oils. This mechanism continued in an alternating way following the dry and the wet seasons (Barrer, 1978), and the oil released during the wet season is the one responsible for the impression that the pipeline might still be leaking.

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Journal of Environment and Earth Science ISSN 2224-3216 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0948 (Online) Vol 2, No.4, 2012

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1.1.1.1 Conclusion The main conclusion reached from the study is that the pipes are no more leaking, and that the usual sources of water in the study area are still contaminated with organic crude oil. For an effective and successful mitigation operation, the cause of the spillage was accurately identified as due to the alternate trapping and releasing of part of the oil that already leaked by plastic clay particles in the rainy and dry seasons. Simple excavation, evacuation and disposal of the contaminated soils, and cleanliness of the polluted surroundings, are some of the methods of improving and safeguarding further apparent leakage of the oil. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The Department of Physics, A.B.U. Zaria, provided equipment and transport for the fieldwork component of this work, and we are grateful. Our thanks go to P.M. Zaborski, M. A. Y. Hotoro and Mr. T. Najime for their valuable suggestions in the course of preparation of this manuscript.

References Ajayi, S. O. and Osibanjo, O., (1981). Pollution studies on Nigerian Rivers: Water quality of some Nigerian rivers, Jour, of Env. Poll. 2:87-95 Barrer, R.M., (1978). Zeolites and Clay Minerals as Sorbents and Molecular Sieves. Academic Press, New York. Bragg, L. and G.F. Claringbull, (1965). Crystal structures of minerals, Bell and Sons, p. 281. Bowen, J. M.,(1979). Environmental Chemistry of the elements. Academic Press New York, p 74. Concawe Report No. 10/83, (1983). A field guide to in / and spills and clean Strategy, TotalFinaElf Company Ltd, p.22. Coulon, C., Vidal, P., Dupuy, C., Popoff, M., Maluski, H., Hermite, D., (1996). The Mesozoic to early Cenozoic magmatism of the Benue trough (Nigeria); geochemical evidence for the involvement of the St Helena plume. Journal of Petrology37 (6), 13411358. Danbatta, U. A. (2000): The role of physics in National development: Environmental issues. In: Proceedings of the Annual Conference of Nigerian Institute of Physics (NIP), A.B.U., Zaria. Danbatta U. A., M. B. Abubakar, W. B. Malgwi, M .L. Balarabe, and S. S. Adefila, (2002): Oil pipeline leakage and geological formations, as part of a report on the post Impact Assessment of crude oil spillage at Izom area, (in press). Deer, W.A., Howie, R.A. and Zussmann, J., (1963). Rock forming Minerals, vol. VI, Longmans. Eze, RAM., (2002). Oil pollution in the Riverine areas a study of Akwa-lbom State, Global Joum. Of Env.Scien., vo; (1), 1, pp. 21-26. Federal Replublic of Nigeria, (1981-1985). Fourth National Development plan, L.agos, National Planning office, pp.129. Federal Environmental Protection Agency, (1991). Interim Guidelines and Standards for Environmental Pollution Control in Nigeria, pp. 238. Kakulu, S.E. and O. Osibanjo, (1988). Trace heavy metal polution studies in sediments of the Niger delta area of Nigeria. J. Chem. Soc. Nigeria, 13:9-15. Kakulu, S.E. and O. Osibanjo, (1992). Pollution studies of Nigerian rivers: Trace metals of surface waters in the Niger Delta area. Int. J. Environ Stud. 41:287 Keller, G.V. and Frishnecht, F.D., (1966). Electrical methods in Geophysical Prospecting. Pergamon Press, New York. Kerry, P. and Brooks, M., (1984): An introduction to geophysical exploration. English Language Book Society (ELBS). Blackwell Scientific Publications, 288 pp. Telford, W.M., Geldart, L.P., Sheriff, R.E. and Keys, D.A,(1976): Appted Geophysics, Cambridge University Press, London, 860pp. USGS,( 1986). Study and interpretation of the chemical characteristics of natural water. USGS Water Supply Paper, p 2254. Ward, R.C. and Robinson, M.,( 1989). Principles of Hydrology. McGraw-Hill Publishers Ltd., London, pp. 79-103. WHO, (1984). World Health Organization, Guidelines on Drinking Water Quality. Vol. I, II & III. WHO, (1988). World Health Organization, Training course manuals for water and wastewater laboratory techniques., Geneva, p 116. World Bank, (1991). Environmental Assessment Sourcebook, Vol. III. The World Bank Washington D.C.

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Journal of Environment and Earth Science ISSN 2224-3216 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0948 (Online) Vol 2, No.4, 2012

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Table 1: AB/2 (m) 1.00 1.50 2.50 3.75 5.00 7.500 10.00 15.00 25.00 37.50 50.0 75.00 10.0 Table 2:

Electrode separation and field data of VES points MN/2 (m) 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 5.0 5.0 VES1 (m) 168 147 104 80 66 385 149 284 3751 7610 548 550 954 VES1 (m) 166 148 171 220 274 700 506 626 1200 1612 1843 1842 2178 VES3 (m) 204 1340 1524 1319 1172 1414 646 515 787 20.98 1717 3200 4676 VES4 (m) 401 315 225 203 221 449 576 420 649 681 1472 3117 2755 VES5 (m) 51 41 108 526 425 722 343 423 713 1709 1240 1556 1577 VES6 (m) 528 278 1038 849 700 978 329 441 803 2393 1545 3166 4738 VES7 (m) 377 646 348 248 219 1511 261 357 2706 1229 819 570 369 VES8 (m) 166 142 122 124 148 536 264 491 918 1206 1189 978 338

Computer Interpretation of VES Data DEPTH (m) 7.26040 13.2622 INFINITY 2.42 INFINITY 30.538 INFINITY 1.784 INFINITY 0.598 16.093 31.026 INFINITY 19.461 33.699 52.414 INFINITY 1.23 15.05 INFINITY 6.780 INFINITY RESISTIVITY (m) 100.722 288.920 400.693 146.947 5071.881 1605.148 62479.000 198.174 4950.040 53.784 427.222 2214.760 10029.134 714683 270968.000 8568.866 53.272 711.713 197.1292 97.1292 113.674 2414.414

VES1

VES2 VES3 VES4 VES5

VES6

VES7

VES8

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Journal of Environment and Earth Science ISSN 2224-3216 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0948 (Online) Vol 2, No.4, 2012

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Fig.1: Location map of the study area (adopted from Coulon et al.,1996)

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Fig.2: Geologic Map of the study area.

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Journal of Environment and Earth Science ISSN 2224-3216 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0948 (Online) Vol 2, No.4, 2012

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Fig.3: Geologic map of the study area showing VES locations

Fig.4: Geologic section of VES 2, 4, 6 and 8

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Journal of Environment and Earth Science ISSN 2224-3216 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0948 (Online) Vol 2, No.4, 2012

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Fig.5: Isoresistivity Map of the top layer

Fig.6: Isoresistivity map at a depth of 5M

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Journal of Environment and Earth Science ISSN 2224-3216 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0948 (Online) Vol 2, No.4, 2012

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Fig.7: Isopach map of the aquifer in the study area.

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